Dishwashing machine and activating means therefor



Oct. 13, 1953 DrsHwAsx-IING Filed Sept. 8, 1948 H. F. I YMAN MACHINE AND ACTIVATING MEANS THERIEIFOR 2 vsheefs-sheet 1 INVENTOR HEME R' FI LYMAN.

Oct. 13, 1953 H. F. I YMAN 2,655,163

DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ACTIVATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 8. 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Humm? F. LYMAN.

A TTORNE Y Patented Oct. 13, 1953 nrsnwAsHING MACHINE AND ACTIVATING MEANS THEREFoR Homer F. Lyman, Nutley, N. J. l Application September 8, 1948, Serial No. 48,249

This invention relates to dishwashing apparatus and more particularly to dishwashing machines in which dishes are Washed by spraying a Washing fluid under pressure thereon.

The present invention provides a dishwashlng machine in which a plurality of streams of washing fluid is sprayed onto dishes contained in a rack which rack is supported on a table within the Washing chamber of said machine. In accordance with the present invention, the table is mounted for reciprocal movement transversely of the direction of now of the streams of `washing iiuid. Actuating means for imparting reciprocal movement to the table is provided so that the dish containing rack on said table is reclprocated transversely of the streams of washing fluid as the table is reciprocated and each stream of Washing fluid is directed over a plurality of dishes in the rack. The dishes are therebyrwashed not only by Washing fluid passed over them in th'e direction of flow of said streams of iluid but also by movement of the dishes transversely of the streams.

The invention will be understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in Which:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a dish- Washing machine embodying the present invention and taken on the line I--I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewtaken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one form of actuating means for imparting reciprocal movement to a rack of dishes in the dishwashing machine of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view with a portion thereof in section of the actuating means illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but of another form of actuating means;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of the actuating means shown in Fig. 5; l

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Figs. 3 and 5 but of a further form of actuating means, and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the actuating means shown in Fig. 7.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. l to 4 thereof, the reference numeral I0 designates the casing of a dishwashing machine having opposite side walls II and I2, opposite end Walls I3 and I4, a top I5 and bottom I 6. The opposite side Walls, opposite end walls, tcp and 12 Claims. (Cl. .134-141) 2 bottom form a washing chamber I 1. Legs I8, which support the casing Ill, are secured to the four corners thereof.

A dish rack supporting table I9 disposed intermediate the top and bottom of Washing chamber `I1 and mounted for reciprocal movement in a horizontal plane is provided. Table I9 comprises -L-shaped track members 20 and 2| extending longitudinally of chamber I1 in the same horizontal plane and in laterally spaced relationship -to one another. Track members 20 and 2l are maintained in spaced relationship to one another by a plurality of lspaced cross-stays 22 -which are secured adjacent the opposite ends thereof to said track members respectively. The Width and also the length of table I9 is less than =the Width and length of chamber I'I so that said table may be reciprocated in a Ahorizontal plane within said chamber as will hereinafter be fully described. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, table I9 is positioned in chamber I'I so that the opposite sides thereof are in spaced relationship respectively with the opposite side walls II and I2 of ksaid chamber and the opposite ends of the table are in spaced relationship with opposite end Walls I3 and I4 respectively. Table I9 is supported adjacent its four corners by cables 23 which are fastened at the bottom thereofto L-shaped brackets 24 secured to track members 20 and 2| respectively and at the top fastened to brackets 25. 'I'he brackets 25 are secured to side Walls II and I2 respectively of casing I0 adjacent top I 5. It will readily be understood that chains, rods, levers or the like may be used to support table I9 in place of cables 23 is so desired. Il rods or levers are used they Would be pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the four corners respectively of table I9 and, at the opposite end, pivotally mounted on side Walls II and I2 respectively adjacent the top thereof. Guide rollers 26 are mounted on track members 20 and 2I adjacent the four corners of table I9 with rollers 26 engaging the inner surface of side walls I'I and I2 so as to guide reciprocal movement of the table in a horizontal plane and prevent lateral movement of said table.

Actuating means for imparting reciprocal movement to table I9 in a horizontal plane within chamber I 'I is provided. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the actuating means comprises a gravity Water Wheel 21 revolubly mounted on an axle 28 which is secured to side Wall I I of chamber I1 substantiauy equi-distant between end waus la and I4. Water wheel 21 has a central disc or hub 29 fastened to a circular cover plate 29' at the center thereof. Disc 23 is rotatably mounted on axle 23 and a crank pin 33 is secured to said disc and eccentrically mounted with respect to axle 28 on which wheel 21 rotates. Pin 30 cooperates with an elongated slot 3| in a vertically extending actuating arm 32 which is secured in an upright position to track member 20 substantially mid-way 'between the opposite ends thereof.` Crank pin 33 is of such diameter that the peripheral surface thereof slidably engages the opposite sides of slot 3| and has washers 33 and 34 thereon which bear against opposite surfaces of arm 32.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a water-wheel 21 has a plurality of right-triangular shaped buckets 35. Each of the buckets is formed of a righttriangular shaped side plate '3S flanged `at '4-.| along the base thereof and flanged at 42 along the leg opposite the hypctenuse thereof. The side plates 36 are positioned -on one surface of plate 29 adjacent one -another with leg flange 42 and hypotenuse of side plate 36 extending radially of plate 2S' and the apices 39 formed by the angle between the hypotenuse and. leg 42 converging at a central point, that is, hub 29. `The flanges 4| and 42 are secured in a `fluid-tight manner along the edge thereof to the surface of plate 29 by welding or any other desirable means of fastening. In this manner, a chamber 40 vvis formed in buckets 35, the chamber of each of which buckets is closed along its hypotenuse by flange 42 of an adiacent bucket from the apex thereof to a point short of base member 4| thereby forming a liquid inlet opening 39 to chamber 49. The inlet openings 38 to chambers 40 are thereby formed in circumferentially spaced relationship to one another around the periphery of plate 29. Another hub member or disc 29 similar to disc 29 is secured to side plates 36 at the apices lthereof and in axial -alignment with the opening in disc or hub 29 so that wheel 21 may be mounted on axle 28, the hubs 29 rotating on said axle.

Wheel 21 is actuated, as shown in Fig. 2, by washing fluid withdrawn from the bottom of chamber |1 through `pipe 43 connected to suction 44 of pump 45 which .discharges said liquid into conduit 4B. Liquid from conduit 46 ows into horizontally extending discharge pipe 41 which has outlet nozzles 49 and 50 arranged to discharge jets of liquid under pressure downwardly into inlet openings 3B of buckets 35.

Streams of washing fluid 5| are directed downwardly toward and over table i9 from spray pipes 52 adjacent the top of chamber l1 while streams of washing fluid 53 are directed upwardly and over table |9 from lower spray pipes 31. Spray pipes 52 and 31, as shown in Fig. 2, receive washing fluid from conduit 46 which is connected to the discharge 45' of pump 45. If so desired, separate pumps may be used to supply Washing fluid under pressure to spray pipes 52 and 31 and to discharge pipe 41. A separate pump receiving liquid vfrom a source other than chamber |1 and discharging said liquid into buckets 35 of water wheel 21 through discharge pipe 41 and nozzles 49 and 50 `could also be used if so desired.

Casing l0 has an inlet opening 54 in end wall |4 thereof through which aY tray 51 of dishes may be placed on track members 20 and 2| of table |9 in chamber |1. An outlet opening 55 1s 1n end wall |3 through which outlet opening a tray of dishes may be removed from chamber l1 after the dishes are washed. The inlet .and

outlet openings are closed by sliding doors 56 and 58 respectively.

Dish tray 51 comprises spaced, opposite, longitudinally extending side members 51' and opposite end member 59 and E0 extending between the side members at the opposite ends of the tray.. The sides 51 of the tray are so spaced apart that they rest upon the track members 20 and 2| respectively. A plurality of laterally spaced rods 6| extend 'longitudinally of the rack adjacent the bottom thereof between the ends 59 and 50. Spaces 62 for receiving dishes are formed by spaced rows of rods 63 extending transversely of the rack between sides 51 thereof lr; operation, the dish tray or rack 51 is passed through opening 54 in end wall I4 of casing l0 and positioned on table |9 where it is maintained without movement in relationship to the table during Athe dishwashing operation due to the weight of the tray of dishes. Stops to prevent movement ofthe tray in relationship to the table may be provided if desired. Door 53 covering opening 54 closed and washing fluid is pumped by pump 4 5. through conduit 46 into discharge pipe 41 andinto-spray pipes 31 and 52. Streams of' washing fluid under pressure are directed downwardly from spray pipes 52 and upwardly from spray pipes 31 over the dishes in tray or rack 51 while duid is directed by nozzles 49 and 50, through inlets 38, into buckets 35 of water wheel 21. The weight of washing liquid in buckets 35 causes the water wheel 21 to turn on axle 28 a clockwise direction (Figs. 2 and 4). Movement of wheel 21 (Fig. 2) in a clockwise direction also rotates crank pin 30 in a clockwise direction causing the `pin 30 to move against the right side (Fig. 2) of slot 3| in arm 32. This moves the arm 32 and table I9 to which it is attached to the righ-t of Fig. 2. AS the crank pin 3|) passes its lowermost position in slot 3| it bears against the left side of said slot (Fig. 2) and causes the arm 32 `and table |9 to reverse its movement and move to the left of Fig. 2. When the pin Y39 passes its uppermost position in slot 3| it again bears against the right side of said slot. In this manner, reciprocal movement is imparted to table |9 and tray 51 as wheel 21 rotates causing said tray to move transversely of the streams ofwashing uid from spray pipes 31 and 52. The buckets 35 of wheel 21, as they move in a clockwise direction after receiving liquid from nozzles 49 and 50, discharge said liquid therefrom, the liquid fiowing downwardly into the bottom of chamber |1 to thereafter be recirculated together with Washing fluid from spray pipes 31 and 52 by pump 45.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the buckets of wheel 21 are of a substantially square shape and comprise a bottorn member 64 and an end member 65 extending at right angles thereto at one end thereof. As shown, the bottom member and end member are integral with one another. Opposite side members 66 and 61 and an opposite end member 88 are formed in a substantially U-shaped integral piece, the opposite side members and opposite end members being secured along the lower edge thereof to bottom member 64 in a fluid tight manner while the opposite side members are secured at the end thereof to end member 65. Bottom member B4 is of a length to extend beyond end member 68. The wheel is formed by positioning a plurality of bottom members 64 with the buckets. all facing in the same direction, at theperphery of the wheel and said bottom members extending radially thereof in circumferentially spaced relationship, the vinner end of said bottom members being secured to hubs 29. The operation of the wheel shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the axle 28 and disc 29 with crankpin 30 thereon is revolved through gears 'lll rotated by an electric motor 'H which in turn causes arm 32 to be reciprocated as hereinbefore described in the description of the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Inasmuch as various modiiications may be made in the forms of the apparatus herein disclosed and in the location and relative arrangement of the several parts of the invention without departing from the principles thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited excepting by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are washed, a table in said chamber mounted for reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon so that said container moves therewith, means for reciprocating the table in said horizontal plane,

said reciprocating means consisting solely of liquid driven driving means located in the chamber to rotate on an axis extending in a substantially horizontal plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, the driving means having a plurality of washing liquid receiving buckets operatively connected therewith and radially disposed with respect to said axis, the buckets being so positioned adjacent one another as to receive said washing liquid within the buckets during their passage in a downward direction through an arcuate portion of a revolution of said driving means and to discharge said liquid into the washing chamber during the passage of said buckets through another arcuate portion of said revolution, actuating means connected with said driving means and the table and arranged to impart said reciprocal movement thereto, washing liquid distributing pipes in said washing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and said liquid driven driving means to conduct liquid from the circulating means to the buckets of the liquid driven driving means at such position of the buckets in the first-mentioned arcuate portion of said revolution as to fill said buckets and cause them to move downwardly through said arcuate portion to said other arcuate portion by force of gravity thereby to rotate the driving means and reciprocate said table.

2. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are washed, a rectangular-shaped table adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon, the table being disposed in a horizontal plane within said washing chamber and with the opposite ends thereof in spaced relationship with the adjacent inner wall of the chamber, means for suspending said table within the chamber, actuated means comprising an extension on the table having a slot therein extending in a plane substantially at right angles to said horizontal plane, a pin movable in the slot, gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means being located in the washing chamber and having an axis of rotation extending horizontally in a plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, the driving means having a plurality of washing liquid receiving buckets operatively connected therewith and radially disposed with respect to said axis, the buckets being so positioned adjacent one another as to receive said washing liquid within the buckets during their passage in a downward direction through an arcuate portion of a revolution of said driving means and to discharge said liquid into the washing chamber during the passage of said buckets througir another arcuate portion of said revolution, connecting means between the driving means and the pin extending radially between the pin and the axis of rotation of the driving means and connected with the driving means to rotate therewith and thereby rotate the pin around the axis thereof, washing liquid distributing pipes in saidwashing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and said driving means to conduct liquid to the buckets ci the driving means at such position of the buckets in the first-mentioned arcuate portion of said revolution as to fill said buckets and cause them to move downwardly through said arcuate portion to said other arcuate portion by force of gravity thereby to rotate the driving means and. lreciprocate said table.

3. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are washed, a rectangular-shaped table adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon, the table being disposed in a horizontal plane within said washing chamber and with the opposite ends thereof in spaced relationship with the adjacent inner wall of the chamber, Imeans for suspending said table within the chamber from the opposite sides thereof adjacentl the opposite ends of the table, said suspending means comprising a cable secured to the table adjacent each of the opposite corners thereof and suspended from a point above said table, gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means being located in the washing chamber and having an axis of rotation extending horizontally in a plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, actuated means comprising an extension on the table having a slot therein extending in a plane substantially at right angles to said horizontal plane, the driving means having a plurality of washing liquid receiving buckets operatively connected therewith and radially disposed with respect to said axis, the buckets being so positioned. adjacent one another as to receive said washing liquid within the buckets during their passage in a downward direction through an arcuate portion of a revolution of said driving means and to discharge said liquid into the washing chamber during the passage of said buckets through another arcuate portion of said revolution, connecting means between the driving means and the table comprising a pin extending into the slot of said actuating means and connected with the driving means in radially spaced relationship to the axis of rotation of said driving means so that said pin is rotated by the driving means around the axis thereof, washing liquid distributing pipes in said washing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and said driving means to conduct liquid to the buckets oi the driving means at such position of the buckets in the first-mentioned arcuate portion of said revolution as to fill said buckets and cause them to move downwardly through said arcuate portion to said other arcuate portion by force of gravity thereby to rotate the driving means and reciprocate said table.

4. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are washed, a table in said chamber mounted for reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon so that said container moves therewith, liquid operated driving means comprising a gravity operated driving wheel having a driving member radially spaced from and adapted to rotate around an axis extending horizontally in a plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, said driving member being operatively connected with the table to impart reciprocal movement thereto as it rotates around said axis, the driving wheel having a plurality of washing liquid receiving buckets operatively connected therewith and radially disposed with respect to said axis, the buckets being so positioned adjacent one another as to receive said washing liquid within the buckets during their passage in a downward direction through an arcuate portion of a revolution of said driving wheel and to discharge said liquid into the washing chamber during the passage of said buckets through another arcuate portion of said revolution, washing liquid distributing pipes in said washing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container 1n a plane transverse to the plane of movement or said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and said liquid operated driving means to conduct liquid from the circulating means to the buckets of the driving wheel at such position of the buckets in the first-mentioned arcuate portion of said revolution as to ll said buckets and cause them to move downwardly through said arcuate portion to said other arcuate portion by force of gravity thereby to rotate the driving wheel and operate the driving member to reciprocate said table.

5. In a dishwashing machine comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are washed, a table in said chamber mounted for reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon so that said container moves therewith, gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, .said driving means comprising a wheel mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis and composed of a plurality of right-triangular shaped buckets of substantially the same dimension disposed in said wheel adjacent one another with the bases thereof at the lperiphery of the wheel and the apices adjacent the center of said wheel, the legs of all of the buckets abutting the hypotenuse of the next adjacent buckets on one of the sides of the rst-mentioned buckets, said driving means being connected with the table and arranged -to impart reciprocal movement thereto in said horizontal plane, washing liquid distributing pipes in said washing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and the buckets of said wheel to conduct liquid thereinto from the circulating means to thereby drive the wheel.

6. In a dishwashing machine comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes Within a dish container are washed, a rectangular-shaped tableadapted to receive a ycontainer of dishes thereon, the table being disposed in a horizontal plane Within said Washing chamber and with the opposite ends thereof in spaced relationship with the adjacent inner wall of the chamber, means for suspending said table within the chamber from the opposite sides thereof adjacent the opposite ends of the table, said suspending means comprising a cable secured to the table adjacent each of the opposite corners thereof and suspended from a point above said table, actuated means comprising an extension on the table having a slot therein extending in a plane substantially at right angles to said horizontal plane, gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means comprising a wheel mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis and composed of a plurality of right-triangular shaped buckets of substantially the same dimension disposed in said wheel adjacent one another with the bases thereof at the periphery of the wheel and the apices adjacent the center of said wheel, the legs of all of the buckets abutting the hypotenuse of the next adjacent buckets on one side of the first-mentioned buckets, rotatable means operatively connected with said driving means and having an axis of rotation extending horizontally in a plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, connecting means between the rotatable means and the table comprising a pin extending into the slot of said actuating means and connected with said rotatable means in radially spaced relationship to the axis of rotation of said rotatable means so that said pin is rotated by the driving means and the rotatable means around the axis thereof, washing liquid distributing pipes in said washing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and the buckets of said wheel to conduct liquid thereinto from the circulating means to thereby drive the wheel. A

7. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a cas..

ing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are Washed, a table in said chamber mounted for reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon so that said container moves therewith, gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means comprising a wheel mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis and having a plurality of spaced arms extending radially from adjacent the center of the wheel to the periphery thereof, a rectangular-shaped bucket adjacent the peripheral end of each of said arms, the openings of said buckets being arranged to receive liquid and cause said arm to move downwardly thereby rotating the wheel, said driving means.

being connected with the table and arranged to impart reciprocal movement thereto'in said horizontal plane, washing liquid distributing pipes in 4said washing chamber arranged to discharge .streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of move- :ment of said table, means for circulating liquid .from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and the? buckets of said wheel to conduct liquid under pressure thereinto from the circulating means to thereby drive the wheel.

8. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are Washed, a rectangular-shaped table adapted'to receive a container of dishes thereon, the table being disposed in a horizontal plane Within said washing chamber and with the opposite ends thereof in spaced relationship with the adjacent inner wall of the chamber, means for suspending said table within the chamber from the opposite sides thereof adjacent the opposite ends of the table, said suspending means comprising a cable secured to the table adjacent each of the opposite corners thereof and suspended from a point above said table, actuated means comprising an extension on the table having a slot therein extending in a plane subtsantially at right angles to said horizontal plane, gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means comprising a wheel mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis and having a plurality of spaced arms extending radially from adjacent the center of the wheel to the periphery thereof, a rectangular-shaped bucket adjacent the peripheral end of each of said arms, the opening of said buckets being arranged to receive liquid and cause said arm to move downwardly thereby rotating the wheel, rotatable means operatively connected with said driving means and having an axis of rotation extending horizontally in a plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, connecting means between the rotatable means and the table comprising a pin extending into the slot of said actuating means and connected with said rotatable means in radially spaced relationship to the axis of rotation of said rotatable means so that said pin is rotated by the driving means and the rotatable means around the axis thereof, washing liquid distributing pipes in said washing chamber arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in said container in a plane transverse to the plane of movement of said table, means for circulating liquid from said discharge pipes after passage of the liquid over said dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and the buckets 'of said wheel to conduct liquid under pressure thereinto from the circulating means to thereby drive the wheel.

9. In a dishwashing machine comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes Within a dish container arewashed, a table in said chamber mounted for reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon so that said container moves therewith, means for reciprocating the table in said horizontal plane, said reciprocating means comprising gravity 0perated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means being operatively connected with the table and arranged to impart said reciprocal movement thereto, the `driving means being located in the chamber to rotate on an axis extending in a substantially horizontal plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, the driving means having a plurality of washing liquid receiving buckets operatively connected therewith and radially disposed with respect to said axis, the buckets being so positioned adjacent one another as to receive said washing liquid within the buckets during their passage in a downward direction through an arcuate portion of a revolution of said driving means and to discharge said liquid into the washing chamber during the passage of said buckets through another arcuate portion or said revolution, washing liquid distributing means in said washing chamber constructed and arranged to discharge streams of liquid over the dishes in the container, means for circulating liquid from said distributing means after passage of the liquid over the dishes, and conduit means cooperating with the circulating means and said driving means to conduct liquid from the circulating means to the buckets of the driving means at such position of the buckets in the first-mentioned arcuate portion of said revolution as to ll said buckets and cause them to move downwardly through said arcuate portion to said other arcuate portion by force of gravity thereby to rotate the driving means and reciprocate said table.

l0. In dishwashing apparatus comprising a casing having a washing chamber wherein dishes within a dish container are washed, a table in said chamber mounted for reciprocal movement in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive a container of dishes thereon so that said container moves wherewith, means for reciprocating the table in said horizontal plane, said reciprocating means consisting solely of gravity operated driving means actuated by the weight of liquid, said driving means being operatively connected with the table and arranged to impart said reciprocal movement thereto, the driving means beingy located in the chamber to rotate on an axis extending in a substantially horizontal plane at right angles to the horizontal plane of movement of the table, the driving means having a plurality of washing liquid receiving buckets operatively connected therewith and radially disposed with respect to said axis, the buckets being so positioned adjacent one another as to receive said washing liquid within the buckets during their passage in a downward direction through an arcuate portion of a revolution of said driving means and to discharge said liquid into the washing chamber during the passage of said buckets through another arcuate portion of said revolution, washing liquid distributing means in said washing chamber constructed and arranged to discharge streams of 

